Gas-producer.



T. F. 'FITZSIMMONS.

GAS PRODUCER.

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Patented Jan. 30, 1912.

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T. F. FITZSIMMONS.

GAS PRODUOBB. APPLIGATIDH FILED 11017.30, 1903,.

1,016,133. Patented Jan 30,1912.

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THOMAS F. FITZSIMMONS, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

GAS-PRODUCER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 30, 1912.

Application led November 30, 1908. Serial No. 465,193.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS F. FrrzsrM- MONS, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of Brooklyn, New York, have invented a new and useful Gas- Producer, which is fully set forth in the following specification.

This invention relates to the production of a clean, properly-fixed gas from anthracite coal, or from coke or charcoal, particularly for use in gas engines.

The producer herein set forth, on account of its compact construction and self-contained nature, is especially adapted as a marine gas-producer.

Among the chief features of the invention are, that the crown of the generator constitutes the floor of the wet scrubber, so that the water in the latter keeps this crown cool; that the take-oft' leading from the generator to the scrubber is located centrally of the generator and extends downward to a point considerably removed from'the crown of the generator, whereby the high incandescence is confined to the central portion of the fuel and kept away from the structure itself; that no grate-bars are employed, but the incandescent fuel rests upon a bed of ashes that is supported upon a central mound, whereby excess of ashes may be discharged through suitable ash doors; the provision of substantially vertical bafiies, for admitting air around the bottom of the incandescent fuel, the same serving also for inspection of the incandescent mass; the provision of a suitably located pre-heater and of a suitably constructed saturator of novel construction,

both located within the wall of the generator; novel fuel-feeding devices, andthe ar;

rangement thereof upon the crown of fh@ generator and Within the outline of th,y Su perimposed scrubber; provision for intl-Q ducing air at the center of the bottoi,1 of the incandescent fuel, or around the periphery thereof, at will; means for Creating draft by suction or by pressure or by bottL The invention consists of theemployment of one or more or all of thesgA featuresv and also other features of oonveen andutility that will be hereinaftrr more particularly pointed out and claimed- The HVBDOH Win be best understood by reference to the annexed drawings that illustrate one embodiment thereoi In these drawings Figure 1 is a vertical section through m improved producer, being taken through7 lines I-I of Fig. Q; Fig. 2 is a transverse section through line II-II of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a transverse section through line III--III of Fig. 1; and Fig. 4 is a vertical section through line IV-IV of Fig. 3.

The generator is shown as having the cylindrical wall 1 constructed of fire-brick or other refractory material, and preferably inclosed in a casing of sheet steel. In the bottom of the generator is he mound 2, formed of broken fire-brick, united by cement; and from the center of this mound rises a twyer 3 leading from the (steamactuated) ]etblower 4.

5-5 represent ash-openings provided with the doors 6.

The mound serves to receive a bed of ashes to constitute an ash-hearth, and as the ashes accumulate they can be drawn off through the ash-doors, the slope of the mound assisting in this. Located at or a little above the level of the top of the ashhearth are openings in the wall l, in which are located the removable baffies 7 7, consisting of substantiallywertical gratings whose inner faces are protected by gfpctory material, the whole being` located with in the Wall of the genert'wr, and 8 8 are alr'tlght Closures: ,nl which may be windows 0f. hfavy glass: Beneath these baffles, and ltllm the vall 1 is located an annular space dlvlded foto two compartments 9 and 10,by the, h.Srizontal partition 11 of corrugated metal. The pipe 12 admits into the lower C'ompartment 9 heated gases (such as the eX- haust of gas-engines or other waste products), which, after passing around the entire annular space 9, escape through stack 13; water is admitted into the upper compartment 10, through the drip-cock 14 and funnel l5, which latter leads to the upper compartment 10. The exhaust gases from the gas-engine are frequently as hot as 1200c F.; and this intense heat, acting upon the water resting upon partition 11, converts the latter into steam, which passes through the ports 16 (in front of the baflles 7) and thence into the incandescent fuel.

In the upper part of the wall 1 of the generator, is the pre-heater 17, consisting of an annular compartment lying within the wall of the generator, and having a plurality of air-inlets 18 from the top of wall 1; a

passage 19 leads downward and opens in front of each baille, whereby air is admitted to the fuel in a pre-heated condition.

2O represents the crown of the generator, which is at the same time the floor of the wet scrubber. It is shown as resting upon the circular' wall of the generator l, as havl ing cutaway portions for the feed-devices 21, and a central opening for receiving the takeoff 2:2. This take-off 22 extends downwardly to about mid-way between the crown and the baffles, whereby the draft-and the region of high incandcscence-will normally be defined by the cone whose base is outlined by the battles 7, and whose apex is the bottom 23 of the take-off; and rising some distance above the Hoor of the scrubber, it acts as a dam to preventwater from the scrubber entering the generator. By reason of this arrangement the greater part of the generator is not subjected to the intense action of the fierce heat, and for the same reason, and on acbount of the fact that the crown 2() is water-cooled, the crown is similarly protected.

To start the operation, the mound 2 is covered with ashes or the like and the fuel introduced (as by removing one of the baflies 7) and fired as through the ash-openings 5; thereafter fresh fuel is introduced from time to time through feed-devices 21. As the fuel is burned, the amount of ashes gradually accumulates and is thereafter kept at about (or somewhat below) the level of the bottom of the baffles 7, the ash-openings 5 serving to withdraw ashes from time to time to prevent too great an accumulation. The ashes thus constitute a hearth for the m fuel, whose incandescence is l `L incandescent nl b f th 1 t, confined centran` Y means 0 e OC3 10H of the mouth 23 df theilkjfol 22' Air may be admitted ardt-nd lthqpeflph' ery only of the base of the fuS-.jflther by opening the closures 8 of'the batiiefgfr by openin the inlets 18 to the super-heatlfi 01" by utilizing both of these means; and all (lr only some of these inlets may be relied on, and the closures may be opened entirelv or only part way. Air is thus drawn in from around the periphery, preferably an artiicial draft by the suction of a fan or other similar exhaust being relied on. In place of a fan, the in-take stroke of t-he gas-engine may be employed for the purpose.

Air ma be admitted to the fuel at the center of its base only, by means of the jetblower; in which case the covers of the baffles and of the super-heater inlets will be closed, to prevent the gases being forced out at these openings.

Finally, air may be admitted both around the periphery and also simultaneously at the center of the base of the incandescent fuel, by having the suction or exhaust greater than the pressure from the jet-blower. In

this case one or more or all of the covers of the battles and of the super-heater inlets will be opened more or less. The covers of the baffles and the pre-heater inlets may be closed and the jet-blower and exhaust so balanced as to create a` steady, uniform draft from the center only of the bottom of the incandescent fuel. By these means the attendant can regulate the extent of the incandescenee of the fuel. By the means described the producer can be operated either by suction alone or by pressure alone, or by both.

The fuel when of small size or of not the best quality is sometimes liable to cake together and form masses of clinker etc. To overcome this, steam will be admitted through the ports 16, by manipulating the drip-cock 14; and the steam from the jetblower is effective for the same purpose. Although the steam from these two sources is primarily intended merelyfor disintegrating any masses of fuel that may have formed, yet it is evident that steam through these sources may be admitted in larger quantities if desired, to enrich the make of gas with hydrogen, thus producing a watergas.

24-24 represent conveniently located peep-holes in the wall 1, that are covered by heavy glass; and 25-25 are poker-holes at the top of the generator, having suitable coverings.

The take-off 22 is shown as composed of two sections having flanges at their adjacent ends, which are bolted together to inclose a metal annulus 26, that rests upon the crown 20. The lower section of the taire-off 22 will preferably be composed of or coated with refractory material, and the parts may be disassembled for inspection or cleaning.

21 represents a feed device, of which there are preferably two. This device comprises a hopper located within the outline of the cylindrical scrubber and having two closures, a drop-valve 27 and an upper cover 28. The fuel is raised to the platform 29, for dumping into the hopper, as by block and tackle upon the support $30.

The scrubber as a whole consists of the meta gylinder 31, having a plurality of the ordinary wooden gratings 32 covered with usual SGHlbbmg materials 33 reprebents a number of cleaning-doors.

34 is the take-off from the scrubber, leading t0 the fn or other exhaust and thence Either t0 the gas-engine (or gas reservoir) OI. to a purgenstaclr (none of whlch are showns Since thse parts are well under- Stic'he top of th wet scrubber 31 are the ordinary water-sprays: as 38g fQ' drerlchlng the scrubbin material .to asslst m Pu'lfvmg the make O gas Thls water accumulates upon the crown 2O to 'ia depth 0f Seve'al inches or more; and a Water-seal or other suitable means (not shown) is provided for the overiiow. Below the bali'les 7 I sometimes provide a frustro-conical ash-hopper indicated by dotted lines 35, beneath which may be provided the revoluble ash-table 3G, operated from crank 37 with suitable gearing.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that my invention provides a compact, simple, self-contained apparatus which takes up comparatively little floor space; that it can be used with the greatest efliciency for making producer-gas for light, heat and power purposes, from anthracite, coke, charcoal, etc.; that there is no liability of the gas escaping through joints or leaks in the generator; that the work of the Stoker in feeding and cleaning out ashes is reduced to the minimum; and that the attendant has absolute control over his fire and the place and manner of admitting air (or steam) thereto. In addition to the fo-regoing advantages, and others that will occur to persons skilled in the art, another greatadvantage is in the durability of this generator and plant, since the intense heat is kept from contact with the parts.

I have described my invention with some particularty, but only for the sake of clearness; since I do not limit my invention to the precise construction and arrangement disclosed or to the proportions indicated. Changes may be made in these, and parts of my invention used to the exclusion of other parts, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus fully set forth my invention, I claim:

1. In a self-contained vertically-arranged gas-plant, the combination with the generator, of a wet-scrubber superimposed thereon, and a common partition separating the two.

2.V In a self-contained vertically-arranged gas-plant, the combination with the generator, of a wetscrubber superimposed thereon, a common partition separating the two, and the centrally-located take-ofi:l carried by said partition and extending from near the middle of said generator and opening into said scrubber above said partition.

3. In a self-contained vertically-arranged gas-plant, the combination with the generator, the superimposed Wet-scrubber, and the common partition separating the two, of a feed-device consisting of a compartment located within the contour of said scrubber and having at its bottom a drop valve in the plane of said partition and a closure at the top of said compartment.

4. In a self-contained vertically-arranged gas-plant, the combination with the generator and the wet-scrubber superimposed thereon, of a common partition separating the two and having a central opening and a cut-away portion, a take-ofi' supported within said central opening and extending to about the middle of said generator, and a feed-device located within the contour of said scrubber and registering with said cutaway portion.

5. In a self-contained gas-plant, the combination with the generator, a superimposed wet-scrubber, a common partition separating the two, and a take-off supported by said partition and leading from the middle of the generator lo the scrubber, of means for introducing air at the center of the bottom of the incandescent fuel or around the periphery thereof. y

6. In a self-contained gas-plant, the combination with. the generator, a superimposed wet-scrubber, a common partition separating the two, and a take-off supported by said partition and leading from the middle of the generator to the scrubber, of means for introducing steam at the center of the bottom of the incandescent fuel or around the periphery thereof.

7. In a self-contained gas-plant, the combination with the generator, a superimposed wet-scrubber, a common partition separating the two, and a. take-off supported by said partition and leading from the middle of the generator to the scrubber, of means for introducing air at the center of the bottom of the incandescent fuel or around the periphery thereof, and means for introducing steam at the center of the bottom of the incandescent fuel or around the periphery thereof.

8. In a self-contained vertically-arranged gas-plant, the combination With the generator, a wet-scrubber superimposed thereon, and a common partition separating the two, of a take-off supported by said partition and leading from the middle of the generator, a pre-heater for air located Within the Wall of said enerator, a saturator'also located Within tie Wall of the generator for providing steam, a fuel-feed located upon top of said generator and within the contour of the scrubber, means for admitting steam at the center of the incandescent fuel or around the periphery thereof, and means for admitting air around the periphery or at the center thereof.

9. In a self-contained vertically-arranged gas-plant, the combination of the generator and the wet-scrubber superimposed thereon to provide a water-cooled crown therefor, fuel-feeds inserted Within the contour of said scrubber and resting on said enerator, a take-off leading from the mi dle of said generator, means in the bottom of said generator for providing an ash-hearth, and means for creating a draft and confining the same and the zone of highest incandescenee centrally away from the structure of the generator.

10. In a self-contained vertically-arranged gaslant, the combination with the generator, t e wet scrubber superimposed thereon, a common partition se arating the two, and a. take-off supported said partition and leading from the mirillle of said generator, of means for operating the said generator under pressure alone or under THOMAS F. FITZSIMMONS.

Witnesses:

C. A. L. MAssm,

RALPH L. Scor'r.

Gbpies of this patent may be obtained for ilve cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner of Patent:

Washington, D. O. 

